If someone you love is displaying changes in behavior that make you suspect they are using drugs, they may need your help.
At first, it may be easy to overlook the signs of addiction in a loved one. Episodes of āunusualā behavior can be written off as āheās having a bad dayā or āitās just her time of the month.āā Over time, these episodes turn into half-day, whole day and eventual everyday moods and attitudes. After a while, itās all but impossible to ignore how much your loved oneās changed and how his or her quality of life has declined.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, addiction operates as a chronic disease that takes over a personās sense of self-control in the face of persistent drug cravings. While you and others may clearly see the effects of addiction in a loved oneās life, the addict canāt see past the next āhigh.ā Being able to spot signs a loved one needs help during the early stages can go a long way towards stopping addiction in its tracks.
Here are the ten most common signs a loved one needs addiction help:
1. Changes in Appearance
Addiction not only alters addictsā physical appearance, but also the way they take care of themselves. Key signs include disheveled or unkempt clothing, drastic changes in weight and a decline in overall health.
2. Loss of Interest
Activities once enjoyed become insignificant as addicts devote more and more time to getting and using drugs.
3. Neglecting Close Relationships
As addiction progresses, addicts start to neglect relationships with close friends and family; partly because of different interests and partly to hide their drug-using practices.
4. Mysterious Behaviors
When a loved one knows others disapprove of his or her behavior, he or she becomes more so secretive in order to avoid unpleasant interactions or having to explain their whereabouts and doings.
5. Isolative Behaviors
Addicts tend to isolate themselves from the people that know them best. Spending an unusual amount of time locked away in their rooms and away from others helps them better hide drug-using behaviors.
6. Drug Paraphernalia
Even the most discreet of addicts can leave the occasional pipe, razor blade or syringe lying unattended. Other types of drug paraphernalia to watch out for include:
Rolling papers
Bongs
Mirrors
Pieces of glass
7. Mood Swings
Ongoing drug use inevitably wears on a personās overall demeanor and personality. Frequent mood swings result from the effects of drug use on brain chemical functions.
8. Extreme Behavior Displays
A loved one displaying behaviors that are out of character for him or her may well be using drugs. Extreme behaviors can take the form of:
Aggression
Violence
Giddiness
Unusual excitement
High energy levels
9. Problems Sleeping
Someone whoās been using for a while will start to develop unusual sleep patterns. As brain functions continue to deteriorate, sleeping too much or not sleeping at all will become the norm rather than the exception.
10. Problems at Work
As drugās take over a personās reasoning processes, responsibilities like going to work will take on less and less importance. Calling in sick to work or not showing up at all starts to happen on an increasingly frequent basis.
We’ve always heard the phrase, “addiction isn’t prejudice, it affects the young the old, the rich the poor, black and whiteĀ –Ā it doesn’t matter.” However, in the recent years studies have shown that individuals who are over the age of 50 are increasingly finding themselves addicted to drugs or alcohol and in need of help. In….
There are a lot of terms that are used to reference the situation of having both a substance use disorder and a mental illness. Sometimes it is called dual diagnosis. Other times, it may be comorbid or co-occurring disorders. Dual diagnosis can happen in any combination and number, but there are patterns among specific groups…..
For those who struggle with drug addiction or alcohol addiction, relapse often becomes a fact of life. They rise up above the addiction only to be faced with the harsh reality of relapsing despite efforts to make positive change. Directors at many rehab centers report that it is not uncommon for them to admit patients….
Opiate addictions have seemingly taken the United States by storm, with an estimated two million Americans reportedly abusing opiates in 2009, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information. The common practice of prescribing opiates to treat pain-related conditions has left those most vulnerable to addiction to fend for themselves. Recreational users also soon discover….
Not to be confused with addiction to technology, more and more treatment centers are beginning to use technology in their diagnostic and treatment regiments. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, technology sharing has a profound impact on addiction research and furthering knowledge. Not only is technology allowing public and private sector research teams,….
Illicit drugs like crystal meth, cocaine, and heroin are not the only substances to which a person can become addicted. According to the NIDA, “Some medications have psychoactive (mind-altering) properties and, because of that, are sometimes abusedāāthat is, taken for reasons or in ways or amounts not intended by a doctor, or taken by someone….
Many warn against the idea of beginning a romantic relationship while in rehab, as it can make it much harder for you to focus on your recovery and more likely for either individual to relapse. However, making friends during rehab can be extremely beneficial and is, in most instances, recommended for those recovering from drug….
It may be simple to determine if an individual is addicted to drugs or alcohol once they have been using for many years and the addiction has progressed to such an advanced stage that they use daily, suffer withdrawal symptoms when they arenāt using and are clearly in trouble. Unfortunately, by this point addiction has….
Although most people enter drug rehab to work on their drug addiction, it is important to recognize that your relationships are damaged by the drug addiction as well. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, drug abuse is extremely damaging to all relationships, particularly to those that are closest to you. Some of what….
As you compare inpatient and outpatient rehab facilities, you will learn about the pros and cons of both types.There are many reasons why a growing number of people are choosing a live in rehab facility. Before we get into the five top reasons for this decision, there is something you need to know: these types….
Calls to numbers on a specific treatment center listing will be routed to that treatment center. Calls to any general helpline will be answered or returned by one of the treatment providers listed, each of which is a paid advertiser.
By calling the helpline you agree to the terms of use. We do not receive any commission or fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a caller chooses. There is no obligation to enter treatment.
